It was one of those nights where you felt the Spirit moving during the first few notes that were sung. It was a night where you know people walked away changed. I'm thankful for nights like these, where we experience a little bit of Heaven on earth. I'm thankful that Tribute was attentive to the Spirit's leading and didn't just stick to the "plan."
Other songs that they sang from that project were "Jesus Saves," "More than Able," "Everybody Come See Jesus," "Never Forsaken" and "That's How I Know" with several repeats. Each of these new songs is incredible!
Then, they sang "God of the Storms" (also from Here for You). After the song, Riley said that the line, "Troubled waters of danger set a stage for His feet" was one of his favorite lyrics from the new project. "Your circumstance and situation, chances are it's too big for us to handle, but it's in those moments that God shows Himself more faithful than we can imagine," he said. The next lyric goes on to say, "I'm peaceful in the midst of all danger and harm beneath the safe cover of the God of the storms." Riley said that it's a great reminder that we don't have to be discouraged by storms but be encouraged He is in control.
Gary stepped up next to sing "Grace at Its Best," which he actually cowrote with Barbara Huffman. The song is a beautiful picture of the greatest love story. There's no greater picture of grace than the cross itself. It was one of the moments of the night.
During the second half, they started out with a Christmas song, "Jesus, What a Wonderful Child," but they kept getting different requests from the audience. So they decided to skip the Christmas and go with requests, which included "I Remember the Day" and "In the Valley I Can Hear His Voice." Gary said that he's thankful to serve a God who speaks to us even in the valley. He's a God who heals from whatever we might be going through, not just physical, but also spiritual or emotional. Then, Gary sang "I Am Healed." It was such a powerful moment where you felt the presence of the Lord in that little church in Ward, Arkansas.
Gary then led the congregation in "I Am Blessed." We are blessed to have a Savior, blessed to be loved enough for Jesus to pay the ultimate price at Calvary. Gary said that no matter what we face, what we've done or where we have been, nothing can stop the Savior's love from reaching us. Riley then stepped up to sing "Nothing Stops the Savior's Love," one of my favorites from their new project. Such a beautiful reminder of His love for us!
Riley said no matter where people may be tonight, the Savior is always standing there waiting with arms open waiting on us to turn to Him and say that we can't do it on our own. He then started singing "God's Been Good." Through it all God has been good. Even though we know that God is faithful and the many times God has been faithful to us in the past, when we face the storms and difficult situations of life, we can lose sight of that. God has not changed; if He was faithful once, He will be faithful again.
Tribute invited people to share their testimonies. We heard stories of healing and stories of God's power at work. It was incredible to hear several people stand up and share. Riley told the congregation to not only be encouraged by what God has done in your life and in the lives of others, but be encouraged by what God is going to do.
I'm so thankful that this group allowed God to lead them that night. While I would have loved Christmas music, that's not what God had planned, and it's His plan always better? The night was a beautiful worship service and a testimony of God's love and grace.
So happy for you! Sounds like you had a Spirit-filled Heavenly night! I pray that you have many more!
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